FACILITATING INTRA-OIC TRADE:
Improving the Efficiency of the Customs Procedures in the OIC Member States
44
freight forwarders. The said business people or companies who meet the criteria get
AEO status in their respective countries. However, requirements, beneficiaries and
benefits vary among the countries (see Table 6 in next page). In most of the countries
which are implementing the AEO programs, the certificate or status is given to very
large companies which have a substantial share in country’s total imports or exports.
Mutual recognition of the AEO programmes is given utmost importance by the WCO
SAFE Framework which will further facilitate trade of the AEOs. The Framework also
underlines that, the Mutual recognition could be successful if (i) the concerned
programs are compatible with SAFE Framework, (ii) there be agreed set of common
standards, (iii) standards are applied in a uniform manner, (iv) agreed upon mechanism
and standards for certification authority and (v) legislation to enable the mutual
recognition.
The EU is one regions of the world of the successful implementation of mutual
recognition AEO Programmes. The EU has a single AEO Programme since 2008 which
is applicable in its 27 Member Countries.